Stages of the Design Process:

Identify the Need

Recognize and understand the “Need”
Identify the client.
Talk with clients and stakeholders.
What is the problem? What is causing “dissatisfaction” with
existing system, or lack thereof?
Gather & review written information.
Formulate your interpretation of “the need”, and discuss with
clients and stakeholders.
Perform a survey.

Establish “goals” for project to satisfy the “the need”.

Establish scope/limits/boundaries of the project.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 29

Stages of the Design Process:

Problem Definition
Formulate a Problem Statement
Based on established “Need” and “Goals”.
Specify the Design Objectives (in quantifiable terms).
Specify the Design Constraints (in quantifiable terms).
Formulate a Mission Statement for an organization (Optional).
Focus design efforts and scope
Communicate other factors to the design/development team,
such as business factors, legal factors, human factors, etc...
Helps to schedule tasks and assign priorities for tasks
Information gathering
Literature search of journal papers, patents, other...
Internet search of reviews, comments, opinions
Evaluation of existing products/ideas.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 30

 Stages of the Design Process:
Conceptualization
Procedural Techniques (Tools) for Generating Ideas & Alternatives
Brainstorming
Morphological Charts
Mind Maps
C-sketch/6-3-5 Method
Recognizing perceptual barriers

Drawing/Visualization
Sketching and Alpha-Prototyping

Functional Analysis & Decomposition

For complex design problems, identify and describe the intended
functions
Functional block diagram/flow chart to represent design function.
© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 31

Stages of the Design Process:

Preliminary Design & Planning
Develop Preliminary Specifications
Develop at least three alternative designs with specifications
Alternative designs must all address need/goals and objectives.
Perform Preliminary Analysis for Alternative Designs
Analyze ability of alternatives to meet objectives
Use your S.M.E. skills here!

Decision Making (Tools to choose Design approach)

Ranking, Scaling and Weighting Tables
Decision Trees
Project Planning (Tools for planning)
Gantt Charts
Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation (PERT)

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 32

 Stages of the Design Process:
Detailed Design
Detailed Design and Analysis
Develop detailed specifications, and analyze the design
alternative chosen (from decision making)
Use your S.M.E. skills here!

Modeling
Develop detailed drawings using computer aided design (CAD).
Specify Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

Simulate and Optimize

Using CAD or mathematical model of design, simulate
performance using software (MatLab, Finite Element, etc...)
Use formal optimization techniques to enhance the design
objectives that are most important/desired.
© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 33

Stages of the Design Process:

Prototyping
A Prototype is an early stage/version of the design
Prove the design functions as intended
Meets the main/key objectives
Communicates the initial design concept to the client/customers

Construction of Prototypes
Use of appropriate materials, equipment and tooling
Fabrication in a machine shop
Communication of ideas with fabricators

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 34

 Stages of the Design Process:
Testing & Evaluation
Testing and Evaluation of Functional Prototypes
Create appropriate test to evaluate prototype performance
Solicit reviews and comments from other experts
Collect data

Review of Test Results

Mathematical/statistical analysis to make conclusions
Assess if the Design Objectives have been met

Re-Design and Iteration

If the Design Objectives have not been met, initiate a re-design
by going back to the appropriate stage in the Design Process.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 35

Stages of the Design Process:

Report Delivery & Communication
Oral presentation and demonstration of design to client
Present outline of Needs/Goals, and Design Objectives
Present initial design alternatives
Describe features of Final Design developed.
Demonstrate Final Design and summarize performance results

Solicit client and stakeholder feedback

Is a re-design required?
Have the Design Objectives “moved/shifted”?

Prepare and submit formal design report

Details to be provided

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 36

 Definition of Design

The word “Design” is often used in two different contexts:

– Action or Undertaking (Verb)
– Physical Construct of Object or Plan (Noun)

Words associated with Design:

_______________________________________
Goal Objectives Planning

_______________________________________
Constraints Criteria Purpose

_______________________________________
Creativity Analysis Evaluation

_______________________________________
Trial and Error Decision Science

There are many ways to define Design, and they may depend on a
specific context or field of Design.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 5

Definition of Design and Engineering Design

Design: (as a noun): The specification of an object, manifested by an

agent, intended to accomplish goals, in a particular environment,
using a set of primitive components, satisfying a set of requirements,
subject to constraints.
[Reference: P. Ralph and Y. Wand, “A proposal for a formal definition of the design concept”,
In Lyytinen, K., Loucopoulos, P., Mylopoulos, J., and Robinson, W., editors, Design
Requirements Workshop (LNBIP 14), pp. 103-136. Springer-Verlag, p. 109.

Engineering Design is the process of devising a system, component,

or process to meet desired needs. It is a decision-making process
(often iterative), in which the basic sciences, mathematics, and
engineering sciences are applied to convert resources optimally to
meet the stated objective.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 6

 Formal Definitions of Engineering Design

Engineering Design is the process of devising a system, component,

or process to meet desired needs. It is a decision-making process
(often iterative), in which the basic sciences, mathematics, and
engineering sciences are applied to convert resources optimally to
meet the stated objective.

The fundamental elements of the design process include: the

establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis,
construction, testing, and evaluation.
[Reference: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), USA]

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 7

Scope of Science, Math and Engineering Science

To this point in your education, you have taken numerous courses in

Science, Math and Engineering Science (S.M.E.).
S: PHYS 125, CHEM150, ...
M: MATH 110, MATH 101, STAT 254, ...
E: MECH 220, ELEC 250, MECH 240, ...

Within these S.M.E. courses, it can be stated:

The problems are well posed in a very compact form
The solutions to each problem are unique and compact
These problems have a readily identifiable closure
These problems require application of very specialized areas of
knowledge
The analytical skills of S.M.E. are an important part of most
engineering design situations. But are only a part...

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 8

 Relation between S.M.E and Engineering Design

In Contrast, in Engineering Design:

The design problems are poorly-defined, or are incompletely
stated due to missing information, or uncertainty
There is no unique solution, only alternate solutions each with
their own merits.
The solution often requires integration from several subject areas,
including Science, Math and Engineering.
It is difficult to achieve a ‘final ideal solution’. After a design is
completed, there are always recommendations for future work and
revisions.

Suggestion for a successful design engineer: appreciate the less precise

and abstract nature of engineering design

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 9

Analogy Between S.M.E. and Design

(SME - City Analogy) Finding a location in a familiar city.

Performing S.M.E. tasks is
like following a set of rules/
algorithms to get to a
desired result/target.
For example: S.M.E. is like
arranging to meet a friend
in Brandon, Manitoba:
on a sunny day,
with a map and a GPS,
with a cell phone,
and a car to get you there.

Map of: Brandon, Manitoba [Google Maps]

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 10
 Analogy Between S.M.E. and Design

(Design - City Analogy) Finding a location in an unfamiliar city.

Design employs fuzzy
rules with moving targets.
For example: Design is like
arranging to meet a friend
in London England:
at night, in the fog,
with no map, poor phone,
where you and your friend
are both in constant motion
on bicycles.
In other words, it is very
tricky to meet... (i.e. get to
the goal/target)
Map of: London, England [Google Maps]
© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 11

Analogy Between S.M.E. and Design

This City Analogy is reasonable:

Many students may say: “I’ve made my way around lots of cities like
Brandon easily before. London is just bigger, and I’ll manage...”

You may indeed find your friend under these conditions. But...
It may take a long time and may become tedious.
You will likely go in various circles and loops during the process.
There will be many dead ends, and you will need to backtrack.
Your friend (design target) is always moving in various directions,
which can be frustrating.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 12

 Analogy Between S.M.E. and Design

The items in the City Analogy represent the following:

The day/night conditions represent your ability to see the overall
design problem as a whole, or in its entirety from start to finish. This is
rarely possible in ad-hoc design.
The road map represents a guide to the engineering design process. See
page 17 for the MECH 350 road map.
The phone represents your ability to communicate and coordinate with
your client during the design process.
The moving friend represents a moving design goal/objective, since
design objectives may move/change during the design process.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 13

Why an Engineering Design Course?

This Engineering Design Course will provide you with:

A road map, a flashlight for
visualization, a cell phone,
and a car to help you move
quickly.
BUT, its still London roads,
on a foggy night, with no
GPS, your cell coverage is
limited, and your friend is
walking around.

“Design Tools” are very

helpful, but Engin Design
is always challenging.
Map of: London, England [Google Maps]
© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 14
 How to Learn Design

There are many opinions on how to learn to Design. Some say:

1) Design is an “Art” and is based on talent. (I disagree)
2) Design can be learned/done simply by describing a set of
detailed tools, techniques, steps, and going through them in depth.
3) Design can be learned by looking at many great designs,
analyzing them, and developing an aesthetic appreciation of
design -- like architects.
4) Design can be learned by doing “Design” over and over again,
taking the time to reflect on the process, reflecting on success and
failure, and learning by hands-on experience.
5) Design can be learned by following general design strategies
and methodologies.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 15

How to Learn Design

Fact: as engineering students, you are inundated with design tools.

Fact: unlike architecture, there is no explicit visual component in
engineering design.

Best Approach: All of the above (2 to 5 on previous page).

We must experience design to be designers!!!

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 16

 The “General” Design Process Model

Identify Need Problem Definition Conceptualization Preliminary Design

-Talk with Client -Problem Statement -Brainstorming & Planning
-Project Goals -Information Gathering -Drawing/Visualization -Prelim. Specifications
-Information Gathering -Design Objectives -Functional Decomp. -Prelim. Analysis
(quantifiable/measurable) -Morphologic Chart -Decision Making
-Gantt Charts & CPM

Detailed Design Prototyping Testing/Evaluation Report/Deliver

-Detailed Analysis -Prototype Fabrication -Evaluate Performance -Oral Presentation
-Simulate & Optimize -Concept Verification -Are Objectives Met? -Client Feedback
-Detail Specifications -Iterate Process Steps -Formal Design Report
-Drawings, GD&T 2 - 7 as needed

This Design Process Model is like your road map.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 17

Design Process Iteration

Identify Need Problem Definition Conceptualization Preliminary Design

-Talk with Client -Problem Statement -Brainstorming & Planning
-Project Goals -Information Gathering -Drawing/Visualization -Prelim. Specifications
-Information Gathering -Design Objectives -Functional Decomp. -Prelim. Analysis
(quantifiable/measurable) -Morphologic Chart -Decision Making
-Gantt Charts & CPM

Detailed Design Prototyping Testing/Evaluation Report/Deliver

-Detailed Analysis -Prototype Fabrication -Evaluate Performance -Oral Presentation
-Simulate & Optimize -Concept Verification -Are Objectives Met? -Client Feedback
-Detail Specifications -Iterate Process Steps -Formal Design Report
-Drawings, GD&T 2 - 7 as needed

However: Although the Design Process is shown as a linear sequence,

it not linear! It still involves multi-loop iterations, backtracking, re-
specification of problem, re-design, etc...

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 18

 Major Design Project:

The primary goal of the Major Design Project is to create/design/

build/test a device that will be of functional use.

In the past, such projects included devices for persons with a

particular disability. The design must improve a person’s ability to
live independently, to communicate more effectively or to increase
their capacity to learn.

Major Design Project for this year (TO BE ANNOUNCED)

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 19

Major Design Project (Previous 2011)

Guitar strummer for disabled persons with use of only one hand:
Solution developed:

By: Mitch Fitzgibbon, Spencer Griffin, Paul

Bernard, Randall Turner, Jag Dhariwal

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 20

 Major Design Project (Previous 2011)

Wheelchair-based golf club swinger for disabled persons.

Solution developed:

By: Morgan Dull, Ha Kim Kum,

Eric Kyfiuk, Kuangran Lu,
Eric Watson

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 21

Major Design Project (Previous 2012)

Laptop workbench for wheelchair-bound persons

By: Nick Cottrell, Kevin Warman,

Lindsay Johnston, Jeff Robins

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 22

 Major Design Project (Previous 2012)

Assistive fishing device for wheelchair-bound persons

By: Banz Vogt, Chad Bowcott,

Quinton Calverley, Shane McGuire

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 23

Major Design Project (Previous Years)

Hand-crank device for bicycle locomotion, for disabled persons.

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 24

 Major Design Project (Previous Years)

Remote bicycle braking system:

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 25

Major Design Project (Previous Years)

Hand controls for a paraplegic driver:

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 26

 CPE131
MECH 350
Engineering Design I
University of Victoria
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Lecture 1:
Introduction to Design

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 1

Outline:

COURSE OUTLINE
DEFINITION OF ENGINEERING DESIGN
RELATION BETWEEN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND
ENGINEERING SCIENCE (S.M.E.) AND DESIGN
THE ENGINEERING “DESIGN PROCESS” MODEL

EXAMPLES OF MAJOR PROJECTS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

DIFFERENT TYPES OF DESIGN

© N. Dechev, University of Victoria 2